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headlight alignment, cheap as possible

  • 07-02-2012 10:55am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭


    Car failed nct on dipped light being too high, does anyone recommend place in dublin/meath that does it cheaply?

    cheers


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Any decent mechanic or garage should be able to do this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    BostonB wrote: »
    Any decent mechanic or garage should be able to do this.
    and a lot of tyre places do it too. should be around 20 quid or so..

    i can never understand why people dont do this before the test unless they are expecting the car to fail on loads of other things.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,822 ✭✭✭✭EPM


    I paid €12 in advanced pitstop recently getting it done on a Mondeo.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    sean1141 wrote: »
    and a lot of tyre places do it too. should be around 20 quid or so..

    i can never understand why people dont do this before the test unless they are expecting the car to fail on loads of other things.

    Unless you're having a problem why would you do it? Of course I kinda notice when my beam dim/high is off and would adjust it, with the controls, or ask the mechanic to do at the service. In the past we did it at home, but don't bother anymore.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    BostonB wrote: »
    Unless you're having a problem why would you do it? Of course I kinda notice when my beam dim/high is off and would adjust it, with the controls, or ask the mechanic to do at the service. In the past we did it at home, but don't bother anymore.

    because its cheaper too have it checked than pay to have it done and then the nct retest fee.

    they test them with the controls set to 0 (on my car anyway) so adjusting them there only will still fail.

    its something that should be done every year coming up to the winter, when you will have your lights on most of the time, just to make sure your not blinding everyone else


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Never thought of the retest, but then none of ours have ever failed on that. I think you should notice if your beam is off, it won't be lighting the road properly or at the right distance. If you don't notice that, theres probably other stuff wrong with the car anyway. I don't think its come up here as a big issue before.

    Well one of ours is adjusted and passes, though the NCT being a bit random that proves nothing. I would seriously doubt most places check it as part of a service, or even the infamous "pre nct test" unless specifically asked.

    Of course just because I've never had an issue with it, doesn't mean its not a common fail item. You see cars on the road with badly adjusted lights a fair amount. A lot of newish cars surprisingly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    BostonB wrote: »
    Never thought of the retest, but then none of ours have ever failed on that. I think you should notice if your beam is off, it won't be lighting the road properly or at the right distance. If you don't notice that, theres probably other stuff wrong with the car anyway. I don't think its come up here as a big issue before.

    Well one of ours is adjusted and passes, though the NCT being a bit random that proves nothing. I would seriously doubt most places check it as part of a service, or even the infamous "pre nct test" unless specifically asked.

    Of course just because I've never had an issue with it, doesn't mean its not a common fail item. You see cars on the road with badly adjusted lights a fair amount. A lot of newish cars surprisingly.

    you would think you would notice only having one headlight but a lot dont seem to notice or care if they do!

    its one of the things you are advised to do before going for a test, it even says it on the letter the nct send out. something like check your car is topped up with coolant/water and oil, and that the lights are working and focused and the tyres have the correct pressure. i dont have a letter here with me but its more than likely on the nct site also.

    my mechanic friend always checkes the focus of the lights on any car he looks over thats going for a test. it only takes 5 mins and the equipment is not very expencive. i would think any half decent garage/mechanic would have one and use it.

    i know what you mean by the nct being a bit random. i had an avensis a few years back that failed on the focus of the lights being out. booked it in for a retest and never got a chance to get them focused before hand. it passed no problem on the retest!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    LOL> My mothers car had to go back because of reg plate light, they didn't notice till it went back it had 4 almost bald tires. That said they seem a little better at it these days.

    I guess I notice lights a lot because I switch between 3 or 4 cars fairly often so notice different light pattern at night.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    sean1141 wrote: »
    you would think you would notice only having one headlight but a lot dont seem to notice or care if they do!

    its one of the things you are advised to do before going for a test, it even says it on the letter the nct send out. something like check your car is topped up with coolant/water and oil, and that the lights are working and focused and the tyres have the correct pressure. i dont have a letter here with me but its more than likely on the nct site also.

    my mechanic friend always checkes the focus of the lights on any car he looks over thats going for a test. it only takes 5 mins and the equipment is not very expencive. i would think any half decent garage/mechanic would have one and use it.

    i know what you mean by the nct being a bit random. i had an avensis a few years back that failed on the focus of the lights being out. booked it in for a retest and never got a chance to get them focused before hand. it passed no problem on the retest!!


    Checking the light alignment should also be done as part of any standard service IMO.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    Checking the light alignment should also be done as part of any standard service IMO.

    this is ireland do!! half the people who own cars only get them serviced when the nct is coming up!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭mcwhirter


    sean1141 wrote: »
    you would think you would notice only having one headlight but a lot dont seem to notice or care if they do!

    its one of the things you are advised to do before going for a test, it even says it on the letter the nct send out. something like check your car is topped up with coolant/water and oil, and that the lights are working and focused and the tyres have the correct pressure. i dont have a letter here with me but its more than likely on the nct site also.

    my mechanic friend always checkes the focus of the lights on any car he looks over thats going for a test. it only takes 5 mins and the equipment is not very expencive. i would think any half decent garage/mechanic would have one and use it.

    i know what you mean by the nct being a bit random. i had an avensis a few years back that failed on the focus of the lights being out. booked it in for a retest and never got a chance to get them focused before hand. it passed no problem on the retest!!

    Nct definately random, received nct reminder last time, this time no reminder. Last time headlights passed, this time headlights failed but they hadn't been altered since last nct! It doesn't state if both the headlights are out or just one. Can't see how 2 headlights could become misadjusted at same time.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,255 ✭✭✭Yawns


    Easily done. Mine were fine for the last NCT but I changed to a different brand of bulbs and the alignment was higher so would be more dazzling to other road users. I used the side of the local Lidl store and an 8mm socket to get a grip on the adjuster, turn the socket with my hand til I had them aligned to my satisfaction. Reversed further out and made sure of alignment. Passed NCT this afternoon with no fuss. Quickest NCT I ever had tbh.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    mcwhirter wrote: »
    Nct definately random, received nct reminder last time, this time no reminder. Last time headlights passed, this time headlights failed but they hadn't been altered since last nct! It doesn't state if both the headlights are out or just one. Can't see how 2 headlights could become misadjusted at same time.


    You can't see how your headlight adjustment could go out of spec over a 2 year period? :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭mcwhirter


    You can't see how your headlight adjustment could go out of spec over a 2 year period? :confused:

    yes trolling is really helpful

    Both lights together though. The chances of both going out of adjustment is slim. Didn't state on nct if it was both or 1 light, thats how thorough the nct is.
    My other car's headlights haven't needed adjustment in 6 years, passing 3 ncts!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    mcwhirter wrote: »
    You can't see how your headlight adjustment could go out of spec over a 2 year period? :confused:

    yes trolling is really helpful

    Both lights together though. The chances of both going out of adjustment is slim. Didn't state on nct if it was both or 1 light, thats how thorough the nct is.
    My other car's headlights haven't needed adjustment in 6 years, passing 3 ncts!
    It's tells you on the report sheet which side failed


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    mcwhirter wrote: »
    yes trolling is really helpful

    Both lights together though. The chances of both going out of adjustment is slim. Didn't state on nct if it was both or 1 light, thats how thorough the nct is.
    My other car's headlights haven't needed adjustment in 6 years, passing 3 ncts!


    Trolling?? That's a first!:rolleyes:

    Why do headlights have adjustment if they can't go out of alignment? Also just because one car hasn't needed adjustment has no bearing on a different car. Same as wheel alignment, some cars are more prone to it being knocked off then others.

    As for not telling you what lights have failed.....and NCT report always tells you if one or both sides has failed and why they have failed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,617 ✭✭✭ba_barabus


    I fancy trying to do this myself, does anyone have a simple guide I can follow?

    Its on a 2000 Avensis and they are well off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,072 ✭✭✭keithsfleet


    Talk about digging up old threads...

    YouTube how to do, will be loads of walk throughs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,617 ✭✭✭ba_barabus


    Talk about digging up old threads...

    YouTube how to do, will be loads of walk throughs.

    I was searching for a similar thread as someone had posted a how to guide but couldn't find it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,062 ✭✭✭cjt156


    Pull up close to a wall on level ground, set the internal adjuster to 0.
    You should see 2 distinct patterns, 1 from each light.
    Like this;

    \___ \___

    use the manual adjuster on the each light to get these level to each other at headlamp height.
    back up 12 feet or so; they should still be level and close to the same height.

    Disclaimer; quick and dirty solution, your results may vary, the value of your investment may go up as well as down, you never saw me, right?


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